Henrico to hold public meeting Sept. 18 on meals tax referendum

Henrico County will conduct the first in a series of public meetings at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18 at Deep Run High School to provide information on the meals tax referendum, which will be part of the general election ballot on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

County Manager John A. Vithoulkas will lead the meeting, which will include a presentation by county staff and an opportunity to ask questions. Deep Run High School is at 4801 Twin Hickory Road in western Henrico.

Henrico will hold similar public meetings at other high schools and at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden before Nov. 5.

The referendum question will ask whether Henrico should be authorized to charge a 4 percent tax on meals and beverages, like those available in a restaurant. All revenue generated by the meals tax — an estimated $18 million annually — would support Henrico County Public Schools. About 40 percent of the revenue would be paid by nonresidents, who come to Henrico for business or pleasure, according to officials.